A new Cuthbertson starring for Eagles

West Craven’s Zac Cuthbertson goes up for two points in a game earlier this season versus Havelock. Cuthbertson is averaging 17.1 points per game for the Eagles.

Chuck Beckley/Sun Journal

By Jordan Honeycutt, Sun Journal Staff

Published: Wednesday, January 15, 2014 at 06:16 PM.

VANCEBORO – Junior Zac Cuthbertson came into this season with West Craven’s basketball team with perhaps the biggest shoes to fill in Craven County in recent history – those of his big brother Josh.

Cuthbertson frequently scored anywhere from six to 10 points per game last season as a role player, but he has stepped his game up immensely so far this season.

He is averaging 17.1 points per game and has had several 30-plus games and double-doubles to date.

“I’m just increasing my role with the team this year. I’m relied on a lot more with Josh (Cuthbertson) and Demetres (Abrams) gone,” Cuthbertson said. “It feels great to be relied on like that and I’m just trying to get better every day.”

Cuthbertson said he and his big brother talk every night about basketball and how to get better.

Josh left West Craven as the 20th leading scorer in North Carolina prep history at 2,159 career points.

“He just tells me to always work hard, grind by putting in the time on the court and keep practicing,” he said. “We haven’t had the best year so far as a team, but we have to keep working through the good and the bad and take no games off.”

VANCEBORO – Junior Zac Cuthbertson came into this season with West Craven’s basketball team with perhaps the biggest shoes to fill in Craven County in recent history – those of his big brother Josh.

Cuthbertson frequently scored anywhere from six to 10 points per game last season as a role player, but he has stepped his game up immensely so far this season.

He is averaging 17.1 points per game and has had several 30-plus games and double-doubles to date.

“I’m just increasing my role with the team this year. I’m relied on a lot more with Josh (Cuthbertson) and Demetres (Abrams) gone,” Cuthbertson said. “It feels great to be relied on like that and I’m just trying to get better every day.”

Cuthbertson said he and his big brother talk every night about basketball and how to get better.

Josh left West Craven as the 20th leading scorer in North Carolina prep history at 2,159 career points.

“He just tells me to always work hard, grind by putting in the time on the court and keep practicing,” he said. “We haven’t had the best year so far as a team, but we have to keep working through the good and the bad and take no games off.”

Cuthbertson is 6-foot-5 with a svelte build and long arms that allow him to average double-digit rebounding numbers.

In contrast to being a jump-shooter, the majority of his time last season as a sophomore, Cuthbertson is attacking the basket more off the dribble this season.

Making the transition more difficult, from his sophomore to junior year, is adjusting to first-year head coach Charles Harris’s new system.

“It was a challenge to adjust to early but we have gotten used to it,” Cuthbertson said. “He is helping us as much as he can and we have to do the same for him. We just have to keep playing as best as we can and good things will happen.”

Cuthbertson’s Eagles are back in action Friday night at home to take on White Oak.